Vitiligois a chronic condition that causes patches of your skin to lose pigmentation or color.
The exact cause of this condition is unknown, but its believed to be a bang out ofautoimmune disorder.
These worries can lead to overall lower quality of life.
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What Are the Different Types of Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is divided into types based on how and where areas of depigmentation appear.
Segmental
This jot down of vitiligo is uncommon and usually begins at an early age.
With segmental vitiligo, loss of skin color develops in patches on just one area of your body.
For example, they can appear as matching spots on both legs or both arms.
Generalized
Generalized vitiligo is the most common subtype.
With this form of vitiligo, scattered patches of depigmentation are usually scattered across the body.
Universal
Universal is the most severe subtype of vitiligo.
This level of vitiligo is the most extensive but also rare.
What Other Conditions Are Mistaken for Vitiligo?
Some conditions commonly confused for vitiligo include:
Is It Inherited?
Only about one-fifth of cases appear to run in families.
Who Gets Vitiligo?
About 20% of people who develop vitiligo in adulthood have at least one other autoimmune condition.
How to Treat Vitiligo
There are several options for treating vitiligo.
Instead, you may opt for cosmetics to camouflage depigmented areas.
These may include self-tanners and makeup.
Topical Medications
Topical medications can add color to the skin or calm inflammation.
This medication is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor for preventing inflammation.
Keep in mind that corticosteroids carry side effects, like making your skin thinner and more delicate.
Light Therapy
Light therapycan take several forms and help restore color to your skin in depigmented areas.
These treatments can be time-consuming, and results don’t usually last long if you stop treatment.
Surgery
Surgery is an option for adults whose vitiligo has not changed for at least six months.
Though this option is highly effective, it also carries a number of risks like scarring and infection.
This treatment is usually for people who have very little natural pigmentation left in their skin.
Fully completing this therapy can take one to four years.
Summary
Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition that sometimes runs in families but can have several causes.
People with this condition are generally healthy, and most effects are superficial or cosmetic.
In some cases, people with vitiligo have other autoimmune diseases, as well.
For some people, the condition progresses for a time and then goes through periods of stability.
For others, the condition may stop progressing altogether after a few years.
Skin discoloration in the form of white- or light-colored patches or even hair loss are common signs of vitiligo.
Where this discoloration occurs and how much of your body is affected vary.
Vitiligo rarely causes serious physical complications and is rarely painful.
In many cases, self-image and self-esteem are most impacted by this condition.
National Institutes of Health.Overview of vitiligo.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Vitiligo: signs and symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Vitiligo: diagnosis and treatment.
